Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford, talks Nov. 20, 2012, during the Senate's organizational meeting for the 2013 session at the Statehouse

That's the No. 1 answer to the question: Name an Indiana lawmaker whose family will appear on the TV game show "Family Feud"?

The Bedford Republican auditioned for a shot on the show earlier this month at the Indiana State Fairgrounds with his four adult sons. He said the audition was a bit of a lark, inspired by one of his daughters-in-law who is a fan of the program.

Steele's family team made the cut at the fairgrounds audition, then made a second cut after a tape of their performance was reviewed by producers of the show, which challenges participants to guess the audience's top responses to a series of questions.

About a week ago, Steele said his family was informed they were selected to participate in a June taping for the show in Atlanta.

"We were a pretty odd-looking group," Steele said, noting his sons tower over him, and one has a beard that makes him look like a cast member from the TV show "Duck Dynasty." "I think they were looking for that kind of thing."

The veteran lawmaker should find a "Family Feud" appearance a breeze after spending the past four months at the Statehouse struggling with difficult questions of public policy.

"The only problem," Steele deadpanned, "is that there are some people who don't think (lawmakers) know the answers to any questions."

Losing seats doesn't sit well with some

Tensions were rising last week between some Democrats and Republicans on the City-County Council in the fallout over a Statehouse move to ax four council seats.

All are held by Democrats. And the bid by Republicans in the General Assembly to change state law came with the help of some council Republicans, who testified in favor of the bill.

Janice McHenry and Will Gooden were among those who spoke to a joint House-Senate conference committee about the at-large members' relative anonymity compared with district-based members. At times, they charged, at-large members have meddled in matters best handled by the district council members.

That didn't sit well with some of the at-large members.

John Barth, who serves as the council's vice president, told us via text message that he was so anonymous on the council that, on the same day as the hearing, he was quoted in two stories on IndyStar.com sounding off on different issues.

Zach Adamson, another at-large member, fired back at McHenry on Twitter after one user mentioned her comments.

"I'm amazed to hear Janice said that," Adamson tweeted. "Anonymous is such a big word."

Last weekend, before Monday's council meeting, McHenry sent other council members an email urging them to wear green that night in honor of Earth Day. It also was meant to drum up support for the efforts of the civic group Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.

In a response, Hickman wrote back: "I appreciate your interest in Earth Day. Sorry you are not as interested in the Citizens of Marion County having full representation by 29 Councillors. ... Shame on you for testifying against good and responsible representation.

"I will not wear green," she continued, "not in disrespect for Earth Day, I live each day to preserve Earth, but in opposition to your testifying to rid the Citizens of Marion County of the most effective way for good government."

McHenry replied: "I am sorry that you did not understand what I am trying to do to help KIB not only financially, but by also getting the message out to the public about all the great things KIB does for our city.

"Not everything we do is political."

In the current climate, though, it appears not all of her colleagues on the council share that view.

Young gets ribbed but scores goal
in soccer match

U.S. Rep. Todd Young, who played soccer for the Naval Academy and in three state high school championships, got the chance to test his ball skills against former men's national team players in an exhibition game Wednesday.

The Indiana Republican found the challenge to be as much mental as physical.

Before the match, John Harkes, a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, yelled: "Hey, Young, you're on the wrong side!"

So Young ran across the field only to have Harkes confess that he was just messing with him.

"Get back with your squad," Harkes said.

Young took the kidding in stride.

"How many washed-up soccer fanatics get to play with one of the best ever, let alone get to joke around like old friends with them?" Young said afterward.

Young ended up scoring one goal and getting one assist in the game, the first Congressional Soccer Classic.

White cites missed opportunities

Former Secretary of State Charlie White recently was back in the saddle, sort of, and sounding very much like a public official - rather than a convicted felon - in a written response to an audit report.

A State Board of Accounts report issued April 17 didn't find significant problems in the secretary of state's office during White's short tenure, which spanned Jan. 1, 2011, through Feb. 4, 2012. But White apparently felt compelled to share his insight on good governance and office operations in a three-page email to state auditors.

White was forced to resign after he was convicted in February 2012 of three counts of voter fraud, two counts of perjury and one count of theft, all class D felonies. He is seeking a review of those convictions, which came a little more than a year after the former Hamilton County GOP chairman was elected secretary of state in 2010.

White closed his email with a gracious offer of assistance - and a hint of regret.

"As a former assistant director and special counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and as the 60th Secretary of State, I always appreciate the opportunity to assist the State of Indiana to improve our effective use of government resources," White wrote.

"There were many other structural changes I wished I could have implemented for the agency that would affect process, service and finances, so I always appreciate even small opportunities to comment."

convictions, which came a little more than a year after the former Hamilton County GOP chairman was elected secretary of state in 2010.

White closed his email with a gracious offer of assistance - and a hint of regret.

"As a former assistant director and special counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and as the 60th Secretary of State, I always appreciate the opportunity to assist the State of Indiana to improve our effective use of government resources," White wrote. "There were many other structural changes I wished I could have implemented for the agency that would affect process, service and finances, so I always appreciate even small opportunities to comment."

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Behind Closed Doors: Indiana Sen. Brent Steele and family to be on 'Family Feud'